The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings one shots and Imagines Book II

Water maid - Part 9 - Bilbo x Reader

For StephGreen8

Bilbo couldn't help but chuckle, as (Y/n) let out a shocked gasp before rushing behind him; trying her best to make herself as small as possible so that she could hide behind the hobbit, as the second firework flew up into the air.

"(Y/n), its alright. They are just Gandalf's fireworks; they can't hurt you........." He assured. Feeling a little bad for laughing, when he saw the scarred look in her eyes. He should have realised that she would have never seen anything like the wizard's squibs, crackers, backarappers, sparklers, torches, dwarf-candles, elf-fountains, goblin-barkers and thunder-claps. That the loud bangs followed by the now dark night sky, being lit up as if it were daytime, could be a little shocking to the Water maid. Bilbo slowly reaching out and carefully taking her hand.

"I promise I will never let anything hurt you......." He continued, his smile returning, as she slowly moved to his side and took a seat on the large log.

"I have never seen anything like these........fireworks." The maid finally said. Feeling slightly more emboldened by Bilbo's promise. Yet she still kept a tight hold of his hand. Suddenly gripping his arm, as there was another loud bang, and bright, sparkling flowers, slowly fell to the ground.

"Though I suppose that it does remind me of the storms at sea. The rumble of thunder, followed by the crack of lightening that turns the night into day. Yet despite their beauty, they are dangerous, and I always did my best to stay away from them; from the storms that would follow them and whip the sea into a frenzy. That could send even the sturdiest ship to a watery grave.........." (Y/n) becoming silent for a moment, as if lost in old memories. Bilbo hesitantly moving a little closer to her, about to say something, until she placed her head on his shoulder and let out a soft sigh.

"But never did the thunder and lightening turn into butterflies......." She continued. Her eyes growing wide, as the sparks of the fireworks in the shape of the fluttering insects moved around the pair, before finally disappearing into the ether. Bilbo finding himself resting his head atop hers, as yet another firework burst into to the air, followed by the excited gasps and cheers of all the other hobbits around them.

As they sat there, Bilbo couldn't help but let his thoughts go back to what Gandalf had said, earlier; that (Y/n) had feelings for him too. That she might even love him. The wizard believing that given the fact that the Water maid had chosen to remain in the Shire, to remain with him even now that she no longer had her injuries, proved that she cared a great deal for him. Yet as much as he wanted to believe it, as much as hoped for it, could he and (Y/n) really be together? If it could have worked between Kili and Tauriel, could it work between he and (Y/n)? Could their obvious differences be overcome. Could.........Bilbo's thoughts suddenly leaving him, as he felt a pair of lips on his. As he felt hands on his cheeks. His eyes widening, as he finally realised that the beauteous Water maid was gently holding his face, and kissing him. Her lips the softest things that he had ever felt. The hobbit's heart threatening to burst from his chest as it beat quicker than it had ever done before. A soft moan coming from deep inside of him, as (Y/n) finally pulled away.

"I.......I am so sorry Bilbo.........." She said, as she saw the shocked look on his face. Bilbo too stunned by the fact that she had just kissed him like that; never mind how wonderful it had been, to say anything.

"I should never.......I.......oh........" (Y/n) quickly getting to her feet and rushing off into the night. Her sobs drowning out the sound of Bilbo calling out her name.

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(Y/n) quickly made her way to the river, tears rolling down her cheeks. She was so embarrassed; how could she have kissed Bilbo. Yes, he was sweet, yes, he had been nothing but kind; yes, they had become friends. But to kiss him, just like that.......and just because he was sweet and kind to her, didn't mean that he had any kind of feeling for her; that was just how and who Bilbo was. And she, being the foolish creature that she was, had read too much into it. The Water maid doubting that he could ever feel for her, as she did for him. (Y/n) looking down at the dark water that was only lit by the dull light of the waxing moon. She should just jump in and swim away. She should take off the dress that she wore and make her way back to where she belonged. She was, after all, a Water maid, she was not a hobbit. She belonged in the sea, not in the Shire. But as much as she wanted to just disappear, to vanish back into the water; she knew that her heart would break if she left this place that had come to mean so much to her. That her heart would break if she were to leave the little man that she had come to care for so much; and a Water maid with a broken heart, well, that was never a good thing. (Y/n) knowing that she would pine away for the rolling green hills, the little, round, green door and the hobbit that would sit next to it on his bench, puffing happily on his pipe, as she sat on the floor next to him and sang, until she was nothing. Her body withering and dying, leaving nothing but her sorrowful spirit to wander the seas, alone. The thought making her cry all the more.

"You love him, don't you..........?" A voice suddenly asked. (Y/n) turning to see the old grey man that she had met that morning.

"I.......I........yes, I love Bilbo.........." (Y/n) replied, as she pushed away the tears from her cheeks, with the sleeve of her dress.

"But he.......he.........."

"Loves you too........." Gandalf interrupted. The wizard chuckling softly to himself, as the Water maid just looked at him, her mouth agog.

"Now, why don't I take you back to the festivities, and I will tell you how you can stay in the Shire and with Bilbo, if that is what you want........." The wizard continued, as he offered her his arm. The shocked maid taking it, and allowing him to lead her back to were the wedding celebrations, were still in full swing.